How do i keep from gaining weight on insulin

Hello, I am T2 and I've recently been put on toujeo Ling acting insulin. I'm still titration myself up until my fasting are between 70-110. I'm at 10 units right now. My fasting is around 140. I'm new to insulin but my biggest concern is weight gain. I am overweight now and I exercise on a regular basis. I try to keep my weight down, but my question is, since insulin causes weight gain, how am I supposed to battle that as a side effect? I am getting discouraged the more I read on it. I weigh 200 lbs now. I fluctuate between 195-205. It's always a struggle for me to lose weight. I work night shift and I am also going through menopause so I have all this working against me. Any advise would be greatly appreciated!!! My exercise routine is usually walking around 3-4 miles every other day due to my crazy work hours. I also ride a bike once a week around 6 miles. I'm not a lazy person but I really struggle. I also just started a lower carb diet plan. I eat around 35-45 carbs a meal but now I'm reading that may be too much. I'm so confused.

8 replies

Thank you all for the information and your response. Everything I've read on Toujeo insulin says weight gain is a side effect. Maybe I worded this wrong. I know the low carb is the key, and less carbs means weight loss and less insulin. I guess I should have said since it's a side effect, how do I battle that? I have started eating less carbs per meal. I have had a dietitian before and she had me eating 30-45 carbs per meal, less for dinner, and around 10-15 per snack. That's what I'm doing now, I have a hard time keeping up with counting them. Does any one here use a particular app for their phone to help with that?

Insulin does not cause the weight gain per se. What you eat causes the weight gain; I.E., carbs. For carbs you need insulin. Eat fewer carbs = inject less insulin = do not gain weight. Eat reduced carbs and many people end up losing weight.

Insulin is doing it's job, moving glucose into your cells. So that is not going to change. What can change is how much glucose you give your body to put into your cells. This is why a low carb diet can be your best friend. I am on insulin and I inject two times a day. I have been able to loose weight while on it, so it does take some work to make it happen. Exercise is good for levels, but low carb is good for not getting glucose stored in your cells which is what makes fat.

I gained a bunch of weight when I went on insulin. About 70lbs to be exact. I asked my doctor at the time if that was possible his response was no it's all your fault. He's no longer my doctor. I have since lost most of that weight with a low carb high fat diet. The lower carb intake also helped me to lose my craving for sweets. Low carb and high fat will also help with lowering your blood glucose. Good luck in your quest to improve your health. You can do it!

For me, reducing carbohydrate intake was the key to ideal weight and better BG control. Do you know how many carbohydrate grams you currently eat per day? That is a good place to start. Then commit to reducing your daily carbohydrate intake, bit by bit, until you achieve the weight loss and the BG control you want. It demands a change in everyday habits which is never easy, but, the benefits have been worth the "sacrifice" for me. I am a 5"#' 68 year old, active but retired female. I walk about 4 miles every morning. My current carbohydrate limit is 110 total carb grams per day. My weight is 116 lbs and my last A1c was 6.1. There is no "one right amount" that works for everyone. You may be able to get by with more carbs or you may require less. Glad to hear that you've adopted a lower-carb diet…I think you'll see some progress doing that. Wishing you well!

hello when i was put on insulin 17 years ago i am type 2 i was scared and didnt know anything about it i changed doctors and all changed i had diabetic educator to teach me my a1c are at 8 going to get to 7 but when i started with her i was at 13 now after 150 pounds weightloss my body is finally getting use to being smaller and i weight train so if you can tell your docor to get you appointment with educator you will do a lot better good luck